Your Child’s First Dental Cleaning: What to Expect

Preparing your child for good oral care early on is vital. Instilling good habits sets them up for fewer dental issues later on in life. A good oral care routine includes learning the correct techniques for brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and professional teeth cleaning.

A top-rated Anchorage pediatric dental office recommends starting a professional cleaning routine as soon as your child has all of their baby teeth and once every six months after that.

Because good dental care is critical, you must prepare your child for their first professional dental cleaning. Knowing what to expect will help put you and your child at ease.

Prepare Yourself

After you’ve chosen an excellent pediatric dentist, familiarize yourself with the dental cleaning procedure so that you can explain it to your child in detail. If this is your child’s first visit, schedule an office tour so that your child can become familiar with the dental practice and meet the staff.

Prepare Your Child

Most children fear the unknown, so it’s completely normal for your child to feel nervous or anxious about their first dental cleaning appointment. You can do a few things to help them work through their fear in the weeks or days leading up to the procedure.

Once you’re familiar with the procedure outlined below, you can talk to your child and explain what will happen. You can try role-playing and taking turns to be the “dentist” and the “patient.” Emphasize how important good dental care is. Remember to use positive language and remain upbeat.

On the Day

If you have health insurance, be sure to verify your insurance benefits on the day of the appointment. Remember to take your insurance card and ID, and plan to arrive 20 minutes early so that you have time to fill out the necessary paperwork. Remember to disclose your child’s medical history, allergies, and any medication.

Talk to the dentist. Tell her about your child’s personality and let her know if he is fearful in unfamiliar situations. A good dentist will take your child’s feelings into account and do whatever they can to make the experience easier.

During the Procedure

The entire dental cleaning procedure will typically last between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Here is a step-by-step list of what to expect.

1. Introductions

First, the pediatric dentist will introduce themselves and tell your child what is going to happen. The dentist may require x-rays to spot any cavities or other abnormalities.

2. The Examination

The dentist will perform an examination of the soft tissue in your child’s mouth, including your child’s cheeks and soft palate – this is to make sure that your child’s teeth are all coming in correctly and to detect any potential abnormalities. She will also examine your child’s bite.

Then, the dentist will use a curved tool to check your child’s gum pockets and your child’s teeth for cavities – this should be painless. The dentist will usually tell the child that they are “counting” their teeth.

3. Removing Plaque and Polishing

When the actual cleaning starts, the dentist will apply flavored toothpaste and use an electric tool that rotates while it polishes your child’s teeth. They will also remove any hardened plaque buildup and remove it with another specialized instrument.

When the dentist is done, she will squirt some water into your child’s mouth and ask him to swish it around. Then, the dentist will use a suction instrument to remove the water and any residual polish.

4. Applying Fluoride Varnish

Then, once your child’s teeth are perfectly clean, the dentist may ask you if they can seal your child’s teeth with fluoride varnish, which can help prevent cavities from forming. The varnish is applied with a q-tip and left to set for a few minutes.

5. Reinforcing At-Home Dental Care

Finally, the dentist may demonstrate correct brushing and flossing techniques and discuss habits such as thumb-sucking and pacifier use and how they may affect your child’s mouth and teeth. You will also have an opportunity to voice any concerns and ask any questions about your child’s oral health.

Conclusion

Your child’s first professional dental cleaning doesn’t have to be unpleasant. Knowing exactly what to expect during the procedure allows you to prepare your child so that there are no surprises.

Professional cleaning is vital for healthy teeth and gums, so the earlier your child begins having them, the lower the chances of having dental issues later in life.    

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